Co-op farming groups

The Co-op supermarket has announced further moves to get closer to its farmer suppliers.  Five farmer groups have been formally created to supply the retailer’s own-brand meat and poultry.  A beef farming group will take Hereford cattle from England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and Aberdeen Angus from Scotland for the Co-op’s ‘Truly Irresistible’ beef brand.  There will be a premium Welsh lamb group, a premium outdoor reared Hampshire pork scheme, and two others covering standard pork and standard chicken.  Farmers’ actual contracts will be with the Co-op’s existing meat processors, but there will be a membership scheme for the farming groups which will require minimum standards on animal health & welfare, and meeting brand requirements.  This will be the ‘bronze’ level of participation which will guarantee a price premium.  Further premiums will be payable for producers who meet additional sustainability, environmental and training aspects and become ‘silver’ and ‘gold’ suppliers.  The Co-op is recruiting additional farming members through its suppliers.  This move is similar to those made by other retailers.  It seems partly a reaction to the horsemeat scandal, and a desire to simplify and shorten supply chains, and partly a response to very tight supplies of meat and a desire to simply to secure product.  Other such initiatives may well follow.